"Alright, but no one take it personal if I'm grumpy waking up in the middle of the night." Nimar thinks a moment. Does Ishirou understand my language well enough to know I'm half-serious, half-kidding? "Ishirou? I sleep deeply. Shake me a lot, but please do not kick me," he grins and tries again to bow as the man's culture dictates. He stretches, sips some water, and lays down, falling asleep instantly.
Nymra drains her other waterskin and fills it with mead from her keg.
Not much left, she thinks with a frown.
She then sits by the fire, takes a drink, and passes it around to anyone awake who wants some. If Gelik is there, she will try to strike up a conversation with him.
"So Gelik, when ya aren't a shipwrecked survivor on a possibly haunted island, what do ya do?"
"I must tell you, I am quite the accomplished entertainer and performer. I've been applauded by princes and paupers alike. I have quite the reputation...back in civilized lands. Oh what I wouldn't give for a warm bed and sweet ale. And you, you seem to be quite the warrior? Gelik is sincere for what seems like the first time since you've met him.
The night passes without any major incidents. The sounds vary from wild animal mating calls to eerie silence and everything in between. It rains once or twice, but with water trails dug, nothing is damaged or spoiled.
Jask is up early and ready to head out. He cannot contain his excitement and already has his gear stowed despite not being on watch last. Aerys just shrugs. "He's been ready for at least an hour."
"Oh wonderful! Maybe one of these nights, if you don't mind, you could sing or play for us. Nothin' like a good performer to lift spirits, and gods know we could use that these days. Maybe as payment, I could take a watch or two of yours, eh?" She takes another swig and passes the skin Gelik's way.
"Thank you for yer compliment, I hope t' make my ancestors and fallen friends proud," she says with a sad smile.
"My tribe is made up of proud warriors. We learn to fight as young'uns, in case slavers come for us. Every man, woman, and child is expected to take up arms," she says, staring into the fire.
At daybreak, Nymra climbs out of her tent, gathers her gear, and meets up with Jask.
"So Jask, what are you hopin' to find on the boat? I know last we talked 'bout this, you were hopin' to find somethin' that clears yer name, just curious if you think it's in ledgers or objects, somethin' that gives us an idea of what to keep an eye out fer."
Day: 6
Light: Daylight
Time: 8:00am
"I'm unsure of what we'll find. All I can say for certain is that some of the evidence I uncovered pointed to some of my superiors. One of them had a connection to a man named Avret Kinkarian, who sailed aboard the Brine Demon. I am hopeful to find something, anything really, that may help to clear my name" Jask responds.
"Before everyone sets out to do gods know what, does anyone wanna spar a bit?" Sasha asks.
Gelik informs you that there is currently about 4 days of food saved up.
Aerys: Helpful/Entertainer
Gelik: Indifferent/None
Sasha: Helpful/Hunter
Ishirou: Friendly/Guard
Jask: Helpful/Medic
I'd like to go to the ship. Nymra, would you like to follow the tracks?
I love a bit of exercise in the morning, Sasha, but I think Jask will kill me if I delay him. Let's see what's on the Brine Demon, and we'll spar this evening. to Gelik, he says, Hey Gelik, you're probably getting bored guarding the camp all the time; how'd you like to come with us?
"If you're going to look to pick up the trail, Nym, I'll watch your back again."
"Before everyone sets out to do gods know what, does anyone wanna spar a bit?" Sasha asks.
"That sounds like fun, but I don't wanna lose them tracks. How 'bout later tonight?"
"If you're going to look to pick up the trail, Nym, I'll watch your back again."
"I 'ppreciate that mate," she says, clapping Nimar on the back.
Nimar stumbles from the warrior woman's back clap, hoping she didn't witness his inability to handle her show of camaraderie.
Sharp as a tack, that one, but only as strong as one, too.
Nymra grins, but pretends not to notice Nimar's stumble.
"Anyone else feel like comin' along? See some of the jungle with yer own eyes? It really is quite beautiful when it ain't tryin' ta kill ya," she says with a chuckle.
"I say, I think I shall accompany you. I could use some new stories and sitting here staring at a campfire has been uninspiring to say the least. Besides, I've braved the slums of Absalom with barely any guards and survived. How dangerous could this overgrown garden really be?" It would seem Gelik has found his courage.
"Ishriou stay" is all the pirate is able to get out.
"I'll stay back and help Ishirou hold down the fort, but I expect a sparing partner when you guys get back" says Sasha.
Aerys speaks up "I'm with you Neil. I owe you and Jask one."
Jask looks up "do I really have to answer?"
"I say, I think I shall accompany you. I could use some new stories and sitting here staring at a campfire has been uninspiring to say the least. Besides, I've braved the slums of Absalom with barely any guards and survived. How dangerous could this overgrown garden really be?" It would seem Gelik has found his courage.
"We'll be glad to 'ave you along," she says with a broad smile.
"The rest of ya, stay safe yeah? See ya when we see ya." With that, she hoists her bag on her back, and starts heading towards the trail.
Orne is merely happy to be alive and watches the interaction.
Doesn't matter where he goes, never has.
Nimar glances back and considers the half-orc priest. He looks torn. Gelik will probably be decent enough company, but who knows how he'd react if we run into trouble?
"Orne," he calls over his shoulder, "Someone with your skill-set might be helpful for our trip, mind coming with? If it sweetens the pot some, I often say a few silent prayers to Lady Luck. Pretty sure She's saved my backside more than a few times."
Though not directly, Desna has sent me here to some purpose. I am happy to walk with you and discover it. And, perhaps putting some distance between myself and the water is good for now.
If you feel there is some danger, I'd counsel strength in numbers. But, your assessment of the situation weighs heavier than mine at this time.
Orne behind checking his pack and readying for travel.
Sounds right.
Day: 6
Light: Daylight
Time: 9:00am
After everyone has some breakfast and gets ready to move out, the two groups depart together. It isn't long before they go their separate ways, bidding each other good luck. Nymra, Neil, Gelik and Orne travel south west following the river for close to two hours before arriving back at the putrid clearing that the two had previously found.
Meanwhile...
Jask, Neil, and Aerys spend a little over an hour backtracking to where Neil and Aerys had found the Brine Demon. Nothing has changed since you saw it last. As the three approach the ship wreck, you notice that much of the ship's hull is missing. What remains is wedged tightly amid jagged rocks.
As the day before, Nimar lets Nymra lead the way while he tries to point out signs of tracks she might have missed.
Orne kneels, moving a leaf and twig.
Neil will grab some rope and knot it to make the climb easier for others. Then he'll risk the rocks and waves to make a path for the others.
If the rocks are not reachable from the shore, here's a swim check:
If the rocks are reachable from the shore, acrobatics check to make my way across the rocks and climb into the boat. Either way, I figure acrobatics is needed.
Using Worldy to roll twice on an untrained skill and take the better result:
The Captain trackers spend about an hour following the trail before they come upon a well worn path. The vegetation here has been trampled down and a clear path heading east and west lies ahead. Judging from the direction the tracks were leading, it is most likely that the Captain and company continued on to the west.
Only a few feet down the path and Nymra's foot snags on a trip wire triggering a hidden line that pulls taught on her leg and pulls her 10 feet into the air, smacking against hidden spikes up in the tress.
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
Neil is able to swim out far enough to secure the rope and is able to easily climb up on board the wreck. It seems stable enough and there doesn't seem to be any immediate threats aboard. Aerys and Jask follow along right behind Neil with Aerys bringing up the rear. Only about 30 feet of the deck is in tact and remains above water with one door at the rear that is currently closed.
Nimar snaps his crossbow into a ready position and hunches low as he scans the path for an ambush.
What the hellz?!
Nymra cries out in pain as spikes pierce her chain shirt in multiple spots, ripping into her flesh. She hangs there a moment, clearly dazed. After a moment, she shakes it off and looks up towards the wire that caught her.
"F@$!in' cowards," she mutters as she summons her sword. She lines it up through blurry vision and weakly swings her blade. Her vision goes dark mid-swing and the last thing she remembers is the sensation of falling.
Neil starts to explore the ship.
As Nymra crashes back down to the path, Nimar crouches down with his crossbow out, scanning the surrounding for additional threats. That's when he notices four humanoid figures hiding in the bushes about 30 feet ahead on opposite sides of the trail.
Neil heads inside what is clearly the Captain's cabin. On the floor is a skeleton slumped over, its bony hands clutching at a well-made, watertight darkwood coffer sitting in an opened secret compartment within a rotting desk.
Nimar, unsure of whether or not he's been spotted, tries to stay quiet and concealed.
I think I found what were looking for, but we should search where ever else we can just in case.
A thorough search reveals nothing else of value. The Captain's quarters appeared to be undisturbed while the rest of the ship has been thoroughly scavenged. Food stores have spoiled, valuables taken, and most of the wood is significantly rotted.
Well, let's head back. We'll examine it on the beach. I'll tie the case to me just in case it tries to get away.
The case itself is locked. The lock is well-worn and the elements have clearly taken a toll on the device.
Unless Jask or Aerys has disable device, we'll have to take it back to camp.
The trek back to camp is rather dull. As you approach, Sasha leaps out of the bushes to block your path. "Oh, it's just you. Uh, welcome back I guess. The others haven't returned yet. So far its been quiet."
Elsewhere...
Those hidden in the bushes have not yet moved. Gelik, unaware of the observers, rushes forward to Nymra. He kneels down beside her body and briefly looks her over before reciting an incantation while moving his hands and fingers in an intricate pattern. "Those traps did more harm than the fall. Hang on there, Nymra. If you weren't bleeding to death, this would actually be pretty funny."
Nymra groans as she sits up. "Thanks Gelik, I owe ya one."
"S~+@." Nymra grabs Gelik, if he's willing, and rolls/crawls behind the cover of the closest tree.
"Orne, grab some cover. Got anyway to heal me?" she whispers.
"We ain't alone." she says, pointing in the direction of the ambushers.
"Wha, woah! Gelik exclaims as he's swept away in Nymra's arms.
What's gotten into you? Okay, so it's not really that funny." Gelik speaks the incantation again while tracing the same patterns in the air as before.
They haven't attacked yet...what to do?
Nimar creeps slowly and quietly forward through the brush, keeping his weapon aimed at the watching group.
While we're waiting, want to spar some more, Sasha?
Maybe they're just out gathering food and checking on their traps. Was probably meant for food game.
They are probably intelligent, communal or tribal.
Orne opens his arms, Greetings, we come in peace... He repeats this in the Languages known to him.
Nimar slowly approaches the hidden observers, but as Orne calls out to them, they quickly retreat back into the woods out of sight. Everyone also hears two more that were behind you run off as well.
Meanwhile...
"Of course. I've got to do something to try and stay sharp" Sasha responds. As Neil and Sasha practice, Ishirou pulls out a piece of paper and begins to review it while Aerys finds a cozy spot, pulls out what appears to be a journal, and seems to be writing in it. Every few minutes, Ishirou and Aerys glance up and look about before returning their focus to their works.
"I dunno 'bout that Orne," Nymra says upon hearing the two behind them run off into the jungle. "Sounds like they were followin' us."
She stands up and ponders a moment. But why didn't they 'tack us? They had surprise an' 'ad us flanked. Maybe we weren't the humans they were 'specting, she thinks as she gazes at the tracks of the captain.
"If we keep goin' forward, we risk runnin' into more of them, and more traps. Needless to say, we gotta keep on our toes from here on out, really don't feel like eatin' more spikes," she says with a chuckle.
Nimar steps out of the brush and sidles up next to Nymra. "Since we're following a path anyway, rather than the tracks, you want me to take the lead? I'm practiced at locating traps and I think it is a good bet that we'll encounter more."
Nimar steps out of the brush and sidles up next to Nymra. "Since we're following a path anyway, rather than the tracks, you want me to take the lead? I'm practiced at locating traps and I think it is a good bet that we'll encounter more."
"Aye, sounds like a plan. I'll get yer back, an' watch to see if the tracks go off the trail." With that, Nymra summons her sword and rests it on her shoulder. "After you mate."